Can construction

Abstract

A container is provided with a top to which is secured at least one strip. The strip or strips are provided with a prestress bias so that when the top is severed from the container, the strip or strips are lifted away from the top and over the container rim so that the strip can be grasped easily to provide a means for lifting the top away from the container.

It is claimed: 
     
       1. A sealed container having, a side wall, a peripheral rim and a permanently fixed top to a body having a volume containing a material, a cover positioned over said fixed top, at least one strip means positioned on said top having a first end adhered either to said fixed top or to said cover and the second end adhered to said sidewall, said at least one strip having a stress bias such that when said top is severed from said container, one end of said strip becomes positioned away from contact with said top and extends outwardly away from said peripheral rim thereby supporting said can top and preventing said top from sinking into the material. 
     
     
       2. The container of claim 1 which includes a plurality of said strip means. 
     
     
       3. The container of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said strip means comprise a metallic strip. 
     
     
       4. The container of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said strip means comprise a polymeric material. 
     
     
       5. The container of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said strip means comprises a polymeric filament. 
     
     
       6. The container of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said strip means comprises a metallic filament. 
     
     
       7. The container of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said strip means comprises a composite material of polymer and non polymer fibers. 
     
     
       8. The container of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said strip means has flat surfaces. 
     
     
       9. A sealed container having a side wall, a peripheral rim and a permanently fixed top to a body having a volume containing a material, a cover positioned over said fixed top, at least one strip means positioned between said top and said cover, said strip means having one end attached either to said cover or said top, said at least one strip having a stress bias such that when said top is severed from said container, one end of said strip becomes positioned away from contact with said top and extends outwardly away from said peripheral rim thereby supporting said can top and preventing said top from sinking into the material. 
     
     
       10. The container of claim 9 which includes a plurality of said strip means. 
     
     
       11. The container of any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein said strip means has flat surfaces. 
     
     
       12. The container of any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein said strip means comprise a metallic strip. 
     
     
       13. The container of any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein said strip means comprise a polymeric material. 
     
     
       14. The container of any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein said strip means comprises a polymeric filament. 
     
     
       15. The container of any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein said strip means comprises a metallic filament. 
     
     
       16. The container of any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein said strip means comprises a composite material of polymer with non-polymeric fibers. 
     
     
       17. The container of any one of claim 9 or 10 wherein the severable cover secured near the top periphery of said container encloses the entire top of said container. 
     
     
       18. The container of any one of claim 9 or 10 wherein the severable cover secured near the top periphery of said container is adhered to the center of the top. 
     
     
       19. The container of claim 9 or 10 wherein the severable cover comprises a polymeric sheet. 
     
     
       20. The container of any one of claims 9 or 10 wherein the severable cover comprises a sheet with a pre-stressed bias such that when the top and cover are severed the cover end becomes positioned away from said top and extends upwardly away from said top. 
     
     
       21. The cover of claim 9 or 10 is comprised of a metallic material. 
     
     
       22. The cover of claim 9 or 10 is comprised of a polymeric material. 
     
     
       23. The cover of claim 9 or 10 is comprised of a multilayered polymeric material. 
     
     
       24. The cover of claim 9 or 10 is comprised of a sheet of composite material of a polymer and non polymer such as polymer/metal, polymer/inorganic fiber.